Search - David Del Tredici, Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Hila Plitmann :: David del Tredici: Vintage Alice; Dracula

Between serialism and tonality

Loge | Edinburgh, Scotland | 01/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"David Del Tredici is a modernist trained in serialism, who moved towards a more tonal approach and is now a leading neo-Romantic. `Vintage Alice' - one of at least five Tredici works based on `Alice in Wonderland' and `Through the Looking Glass', a series in which the transition away from serial atonality can be seen - isn't straightforwardly tonal. It has been compared with Charles Ives at his most chaotic



`Vintage Alice' tells the story of the Mad Hatter's tea party and is based around variations on "God Save the Queen" (of Hearts) and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" (and the parody "Twinkle, twinkle, little bat"). In a bravura performance the soprano Hila Plitmann both narrates and sings all the parts. As the piece develops Del Tredici plays erudite musical games with his basic material.



I should add that `Vintage Alice' is really very funny - I originally thought it was all an elaborate joke, but the more I listen to it the better I understand it. As someone primarily attracted to tonal music I didn't, at first, find this easy listening, but it turns out to be more than interesting.



`Dracula' is altogether a jollier affair! At least a lot less difficult to listen to - and again featuring a bravura soprano role. It's very narrative heavy but captures elements of the Dracula myth rather well.



I give this 5 stars with the proviso that people need to know exactly what they're getting into with Del Tredici. The performances are exemplary.



Loge

"